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Juvenile Crimes Attorney in San fernando Valley

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"MY JOB # 1 IN A JUVENILE CASE IS TO PROTECT THE MINOR'S RECORD AND GET THEM ON THE RIGHT PATH!"

WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO PROTECT YOUR MINOR'S FUTURE IF THEY ARE CHARGED WITH A JUVENILE CRIME?

In my opinion, the most important consideration in a juvenile criminal case is coming up with a plan to protect the young person's record and figuring out how to make sure all future actions is moving in the right direction. As you probably know, if a minor ends up with a criminal record, their life and future will be forever marred and they will have problems getting into the right schools and obtaining a job. Colleges and employers are not going to be quick to accept someone with a criminal record. For the past 25 years I have made it priority number one when I am hired to defend a juvenile to protect that young person's record.

The first thing that I identify with the parents and minor is whether the minor is on the correct path to success. That means we look at whether the minor is attending and doing well in school. In our society, education (viewed the right way) is the building blocks for the rest of our life. If the minor is doing poorly in school, then actions need to be taken to turn the tide in the right direction. Also, if the minor does not have goals for the future then they will be wondering through life aimlessly without a road map. Once they have clarity on what they want then the plan to achieve it begins to becomee clear. With these basic tenets in place, I can then approach the judge and prosecutor and explain to them the plan we have to make sure they never see this minor in the juvenile criminal court again and also show them how they can help make sure this minor is successful. The courts are suppose to be helping the minors they deal with them to get on the right path...I make sure they do!

HOW IS THE JUVENILE CRIMINAL SYSTEM DIFFERENT THAN THE ADULT CRIMINAL SYSTEM IN THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY AND LOS ANGELES JUVENILE COURTS?

This is an important question, because many people believe incorrectly that the adult and juvenile system are the same. This could not be further from the truth. First, in a juvenile case, a minor is not entitled to a jury trial. That means that if a young person who is accused of a criminal offense says that they are innocent, then the judge will hear all of the evidence and decide if they are guilty or innocent. This is a huge difference from an adult case, where the person is entitled to a jury to decide whether they are guilty or innocent. Many of the juvenile judges are jaded and harsh and worse yet, are intimidated by the District Attorney's Office and will not challenge them. Juries, on the other hand, do not have these outside pressures weighing on them. They will listen to the evidence by each side and decide the case fairly based on what they believe is the right thing to do.

Another huge difference between adult and juvenile court is the punishments available to the judge and the limitations on how long a minor can be kept in custody. Typically in most juvenile criminal cases, a minor can not be held in custody past their twenty fifth birthday. Where as in in adult case, the judge can sentence the person to much more time depending on what the charges are and what they are convicted of by a jury. If the charge is serious enough, the prosecutors will try and have the case moved out of the juvenile system and into the adult court. If this occurs, the minor offender will be looking at significantly more penalties than if they would have been tried in the juvenile court.

These differences make it clear how important it is to seek and hire the best juvenile attorney you can find. One that has successfully traversed the road your minor is about to embark upon.

A juvenile crime is any criminal act that is committed by a minor (person below the legal age of 18). Commonly committed juvenile crimes include: gang crimes, vandalism, petty theft, shoplifting, vehicular theft, drug offenses, DUI, and assault and battery. Many people make the mistake of assuming that minors can commit crimes and not suffer the consequences. However, this belief is far from the truth, as the state of
Californiahas implemented strict laws and penalties for juveniles who engage in criminal behavior or acts of delinquency. In some cases, juveniles may be charged as adults instead of minors if they have committed a serious criminal offense. With the consequences being so great, juveniles and their families cannot afford to take their criminal charges lightly.

Juvenile Crime Punishments

If a person is convicted of a juvenile crime, he/she may be sentenced with: fines, court and legal fees, community service, and probation. Additionally, the juvenile may be removed from his/her home and placed into a juvenile detention center. When it comes to most juvenile crimes, the courts primary focus is helping rehabilitate the minor versus punishing him/her. For this reason, a juvenile may have to attend court ordered counseling or rehabilitation.

Once a juvenile has been charged with a crime, it is always in the juvenile and his/her family's best interest to obtain a reliable criminal defense attorney who has successfully handled juvenile cases before. A lawyer will serve as the juveniles advocate and litigate with his/her future well-being in mind. In some cases, an skilled criminal defense attorney can negotiate with prosecutors to have charges reduced or dismissed altogether.

Experienced Criminal Defense Attorneys

The Hedding Law Firm has represented many children and their families throughout the San FernandoValley who have been charged with juvenile crimes. As knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys, we know that juvenile charges must always be taken seriously. When we work with our clients, we do everything we can to provide them with the best legal resources, representation, and guidance.

If your child has been charged with a juvenile crime, call the Hedding Law Firm at (866) 986-2092 today! Our skilled legal team will investigate the facts surrounding your case, contest evidence presented against you, and place every effort into your defense. At the Hedding Law Firm, we are dedicated to our clients and their cases.